Improved steam-carriage



2 Sheets-Sheet 1. M FLETCHER.

Passenger Car.

No. 57,696. Patented Sept. 4, 1866.

v I e Witnesses: v I t wiiaa W We 2 Sheets-Sheet 2. M. FLETCHER.

Passenger Car.

No. 57,696 I Patented Sept. 4,1866.

Witnesses= UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

MATTHEW FLETCHER, OE LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY.

IMPROVED STEAM-CARRIAG Specification forming part of Letters Patent No.57.696, dated September 4, 1806.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, MATTHEW FLETCHER, of Louisville, in the county ofJefi'erson and State of Kentucky, have invented new and usefulImprovements in Steam-Carriages for common road conveyance; and I dohereby declare that the following is a full' and exact descriptionthereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and theletters of reference marked thereon, in which Plate A, Figure I is aside view of steam carriage and cars. Fig. II is a front view of steamcarriage. Fi III is a front view of ear. Plate B,Fig. IV is an uprightsection of steam carriage and ears. Fig. Vis a birds-eye view of steamcarriage and cars with roof off.

The nature of myinvention consistsin so forming a steam-carriage thatthe machinery has little strain on its stability, great attractive powerto the road, capable of making any desirable turn or motion by thedirect action of the steam, and so arranged that a desirable quantity ofcars can be attached to it without the use of rail or track.

To effect this, and enable others skilled in the art to make and use myinvention, I will proceed to describe its construction and operation.

(J, Figs. I, II, IV, V, is the steam-carriage, supported by two largepropelling-wheels, and kept on a level by its attachment to thetwowheeled carriage D. On the main shaft or axle-tree a revolve the twolarge propellingwheels E E and the pistons of the two rotary steamengines F F, which engines receive steam from boiler Gand water fromtanksH H. These rotary engines pistons are substantially attached tohubs b b, and thereby form the bush for the large propellingwheels E E.

The sh aft or axle-tree a passes loosely through the hubs of wheels b band piston of rotary engines, by which means each engine andpropelling-wheel can be in dependently driven for ward or backward andquicker or slower by the admission and change of steam, and regulatedthrough the dial'handles 0 c, Fig. II, and thereby any necessary turn orbaekin g motion obtained at the ease and demand of the driver.

As the engines and large propelling-wheels revolve and turn on theshaft, or with it, their compound weight presses on the road, and beingrotary engines, and containing their fulcrum of power in themselves,they do not incline to strain on the stability of the carriage or presswith their weight on the supportingsprings I I.

WVhat I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent,isi 1. The application of a rotary steam-engine to each propelling-wheelfor stability of earriage, avoiding dead-centers, and enabling thedriver to have at his command with ease, and by the power of steam toback, turn, or advance.

2. The arrangement of the engine, piston, and wheel, operating together,or independently, with the piston and wheel on the opposite side ofcarriage, for the purpose set forth.

3. Suspending the whole weight of carriage and engine to the axle.

MATTHEW FLETCHER.

YVitnesses JAMES HARRIS, Jos. CLEMENT.

